If you’re not familiar with the name Bill Moran, you should be. Moran is the founder of the American Bladesmith Society and the father of modern American knife making.

He’s also the designer of many highly respected knives, including this week’s badass knife: the Spyderco Bill Moran.

To understand the beauty of the Spyderco Bill Moran Hunting Knife, you first have to understand the genius of Bill Moran. More than 60 years ago, Moran was one of the last proper bladesmiths in the United States who actually forged his metal using a coal forge and a hammer and anvil. He spent his life preserving the traditional bladesmithing techniques and reviving the process of making Damascus steel.

One of his custom knives recently went for $30,000 after his death in 2005 so the fact that you can buy a knife based on his design is something you can’t ignore.

Like Bill Moran himself, this hunting knife is unassuming, deceptively simple, and highly ambitious. With a 3.88-inch drop point blade made of VG-10 steel, the FB02P is a durable hunting knife that features a perfect blade-to-handle ratio.

This balance offers a feeling of precision and control, which are great assets to have when skinning an animal. To ensure maximum comfort and efficiency, the FRN handle conforms to the palm of the hand and is inlaid with Kraton for extra security in wet conditions.

Rounding out this functional hunting knife is the inclusion of a Concealex sheath that allows for comfortable carry on your clothes or belt in various positions.

If you still don’t believe this is one of the best hunters out there, this knife was just one of the five best hunting knives we recommended in our guide.